Tackle block



Aug. 31, 1943. J. BERTIROTTI TACKLE BLOCK Filed June 15, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 gas-v.

[ nventor I Jase/2Z1 ,Berl'zi'offd Mk-mu Aug. 31, 1943- J. BERTIROTTI TACKLE BLOCK Filed June 15, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 /7 24 I7 Z0 Jseflz/Beriz'razzb' Patented Aug. 31, 1943 BLOCK "Joseph Bertirottii' New Orleans, La. I appl icautisun 15, 1942, Sam-No. 447,114 J moubaoctobera, 1941 l The present invention relates newand useful improvements in tackle bloc s, particularly for the swinging operationsfof dredges, although it will be understood,of course, that the device may be used for any. other "purpose for. which it "may be found adapted and desirable.

An important object of the invention isto pro vide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a

block of the aforementioned character comprising novel means for preventing wear on the cable or wire as well as .onthe casing'or housing ofthe device.

Another very important object of the invention is to provide a block of the character described which embodies unique means for balancing the device when it is used on one side on a substantiallyflat surface.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a block of the character set forth which will be comparatively simple in construction, strong, durable, highly eflicient and reliable in use, compact, light in weight and which may be manufactured at low cost.

All of the foregoing and still further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a study of the following specification, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like characters of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of a block constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is an elevational view, taken at right angles to Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a view in horizontal section, taken substantially on the line 3-3 of Figure 1,

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view, taken substantially on the line 4-4 of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a view in horizontal section, taken substantially on the line 5-5 of Figure 1. d

Figure 6 is an elevational view of one of the housing plates and the swivel, looking at the inner side of said plate.

Figure 7 is a detail view in vertical section throughone of the guard sheaves.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, it will be seen that the embodiment of the invention which has been illustrated comprises a housing of suitable metal which is designated generally by reference numeral I. The housing I includes a pair of spaced, complemental plates 2 having their upper and lower end portions bolted together at 3, which plates may be of any ed on the upper end portion of the housing I is an eye 4. The upper end portions of the plates 2, have formed therein opposed,complemental recesses Swhich provide a socket for the recepdesired shape and dimensions. Swivelly mounttion of a head 6 on the lower end of a shank I onthe'eyel. I

The lower portions of the plates 2 have formed therein aligned openings for the reception of the reduced end portions'8of a pin 9. One of the end portions f the] pin. 9 isbifurcated to accommodate a fixed key In which traverses the opening in the corresponding plate 2 and, which is countersunk in said plate. Thus, the pin 9 is positively secured against rotation. A retaining nut II is threaded on the other endportion of the pin 9. .The aforementioned openings in the plates 2 areindicated atI2. A sheave I3 is journaled on the pin 9.

Extending between the upper portions of the plates 2 are pins I4 in the form of bolts. Comparatively small guard sheaves I5 are journaled on the pins I4. The end portions of the sheaves I3 and I5 are operable incircular depressions or recesses I6 which are provided therefor in the opposed inner faces of the plates 2.

Mounted horizontally on the upper and lower portions of the. plates 2 and projecting :beyond the edges thereof are metallic bars I1. Bearings or eyes I8 are provided on the outer ends of the bars II. Vertical guard rollers I9 are provided on their ends with trunnions or the like 20 which are journaled in the. bearings I8. Thus, the rollers I9 are rotatably supported in position to prevent the cable from wearing excessively on the edges 2| of the plates 2 and to prevent said cable or wire from being bent at an acute angle at these points. The location of the rollers I9 relative to the edges 2I is illustrated to advantage in Figure 3 of the drawings. The edges 2| 1 may be suitably beveled or rounded to facilitate the travel of the cable or wire thereon. Also, removable wear plates (not shown) may be provided at these points on the plates 2. Metallic guards 22' are secured on the plates 2 for the rollers I9. The guards 22"have formed therein openings 28 which prevent the accumulation of silt, mud, rocks, et cetera, in the device at these points. These openings 28 also facilitate end portion of the device. The abutting edges 3| of the elements 29 may be welded together.

Also mounted on the sides of the housing t are metallic balancing rockers 23. As best seen in Figures 3 and 4 of the drawings, the balancing rockers 23. are in the form of elongated domes comprising 'outturned marginal flanges 24 which rest on the bars I1 and the flange portions 25 of the guards 22. Bolts 26 (see Fig. 5) secure the endportions of the balancing rockers 23 and the bars I! to the plates 2. Bolts 21 secure the side portions of the balancing rockers 23 and. the base portions 25 of the guards 22 to the plates 2. r Y It is thought that the operation of the device. will be readily apparent from a, consideration of the foregoing, briefly, the cable or wire (not shown) ordinarily runs over the comparatively large main heave l3. However, if the angle. of the device changes, as when the dredge swings around to a new position, the cable or wire engages and travels on the sheaves l5jand is thus prevented. from contacting and wearing onthet upper end portion of the housing I. As hereinbefore stated, the rollers I9 prevent excessive wear on the cable or wire on the housing plates 2. Such protecting means maybe provided on any of the edge portions of the plates 2 with which the cable or wire may come in contact. The

- guards 22 assure free rotation of the rollers I9 at all times as, for example, when the block is resting on one sidef Whenthe block is thus used, it will readily balance itself on the lowermost rocker 23. If desired, the members 19, 23, et cetera, may bemounted on one side only of the housing I; Also, when the block is used for certain purposes, the members I9, 23, et cetera, may be omitted.

Itis believed that the many advantages of a block constructed in accordance with the present invention will be readily understood, and although a preferred embodiment of the device is as illustrated and described, it is to be understood that changes in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to which will fall within the scope of the invention as claimed. For example, the members 29 may be separate from the members 22 and bolted or otherwise suitably secured in position. Also, the members 22, 23, 29, et cetera, may, if desired, be made in one piece.

What is claimed is:

A block of the character described comprising a housing including a pair of spaced, opposed plates, sheaves journaled between said plates, bars mounted on, the plates and projecting beyond certain of the edges. thereof, bearings on the outer ends of said bars, elongated rollers adjacent said certain edges of the platesand including trunnions on their ends journaled'in the bearings,"g'uards for said rollers including base portions engaged with theplates, complemental hood sections'o'n' one end'of the guards enclosing the corresponding end portions of the plates and the adjacent bearings, balancing rockers comprising elongated domes including marginal flanges engaged with the barsyand with the base portions of the guards, bolts securing said bars and certain of the flanges to the plates, and bolts securing the other flanges and the base portions of the guards to said plates. V JOSEPH BERTIROTTI. 

